DIY & Crafts

Save More with These 8 DIY Router Table Ideas!

by craftmin | December 19, 2017

FIRST – DEVELOP THE ANGLE OF THE TABLE FRAMEWORK

Prepare the 2 by 4 by 12 ft of wood framing studs. Prepare a lot of pieces of the wood framing for a more successful DIY router table project. After preparing those, mill the wood framing studs to 1-1/4 inches by 2-7/8 inches.

This homemade router table can be customized to adjust its measurements and dimensions depending on the room and what it will be used for. The router table can also be customized to include a lathe, a radial arm saw, a drill press, a planer, and another stand-mounted woodworking machine.

To increase the stability of the router table, create a trapezoid design from the front to the back. To minimize the interference with the stand legs and the operator, begin with a small 5-degree angle.

Afterwards, build the entire structure of the table and then dry fit the framework to see how it fits and looks.

SECOND – SET THE DIMENSIONS OF THE ROUTER TABLE

After deciding what angles will work with your homemade router table, it is now time to prepare and set the dimensions and measurements of your table.

The height of the router table can be adjusted depending on your need. The router table featured in this DIY project measures 35 inches in height while the other dimensions are as follows:

For the legs: 1-1/4 inches by 2-7/8 inches by 27 inches

For the front and rear rail upper: 1-1/3 inches by 2-7/8 inches by 24 inches

For the front and rear rail intermediate: 1-1/4 inches by 2-1/8 inches by 24 inches

For the front and rear castor support rail: 1-1/4 inches by 3-1/2 inches by 26-1/2 inches

For the end rails, left and right upper: 1-1/4 inches by 2-7/8 inches by 14-7/8 inches (mean)

For the end rails, left and right lower: 1-1/4 inches by 2-1/8 inches by 18-1/16 inches (mean)

THIRD – USING A TABLE SAW – CUT THE ANGLED RAILS AND LEGS OF YOUR ROUTER TABLE

After marking the specific dimensions needed for your router table, it is now time to cut the angled rails and legs with the help of a table saw.

TIP: When milling the legs and rails, use the table saw with extreme caution. Install a riving blade and never put a hand behind the blade to steady or place the piece to be cut – always use a fingerboard or a push-stick to avoid unwanted accidents.

FOURTH -CONNECT THE UPPER AND LOWER TRANSVERSE RAILS TO THE LEGS OF YOUR ROUTER TABLE

When attaching the upper and lower transverse rails to the legs of your router table, keep in mind that it has a trapezoid shaped framework and 5-degree angle cuts.

Use a dowel max to the upper edges of the rails and legs then drill the four joint holes.

The upper and lower rails at each end of the table should be normal and fitted flush with the legs at a 5 degree angle. The upper rails should be flush while the intermediate rails are offset and form part of the shelf assembly.

The two lower rails are flush to the inside edge of the legs, and can be seen here from the inside edge surface.

FIFTH – CONNECT THE LONGITUDINAL RAILS TO THE END FRAMEWORK OF YOUR ROUTER TABLE

For the fifth step, a face joint will be needed on the inner side of the leg. When considering the difference created by the 5 degree angle of the trapezoid-shaped framework, use a digital angle gauge to draw a line on the end of the rail. Then, align the Dowelmax to the upper outer end of the leg and the lower point of the shaded space. Drill the specified number of holes.

SIXTH – TRIM THE TOP RAIL PROTRUSION

Arrange the table saw at 5 degrees and cut the full length of the rail until the top is flush with the upper part of the leg. The completed joint should look like the picture below.

SEVENTH – ATTACH THE CASTER SUPPORT RAILS AND CASTERS TO THE ROUTER TABLE

The milled 1-1/4 inches by 2-1/2 inches pieces will be used for the caster support and protruding front and rear. Use number 8 – 2 inch screws to secure the supports to the ends of the lower leg then align and screw the castors to the horizontal support.

EIGHTH – ATTACH THE ROUTER TABLE TOP

After successfully completing the seventh step, it is now time to attach the router table top. The upper finish of the table top measures 20-3/8 inches by 26 1/2 inches. Secure the top plate to the stand using wooden screws.

NINTH – LOCK THE ROUTER TABLE IN A STATIONARY POSITION

The router table should be in a stationary position whenever it is in use. The best way to secure it is by attaching screw jacks to the sides of the castors. Attach these handy locks on each wheel to secure your stationery work station during a wood work project.

That is all that it takes to build your own DIY router table. Here are some other DIY router table projects to work with!

7 DIY ROUTER TABLE PLANS:

1.) Ana White’s free DIY Router table plan:

This Router table plan designed by Ana White contains a lot of drawers to cater to all of your storage needs while wood working. The plan comes with dimensions, essential materials, handy tools list, cut specification list, diagrams, tips and other general instructions.

2.) Try this free Family Handy Man DIY Router table plan!

This DIY Router table plan is packed with all of the important handy tools and materials necessary for building the project. It is quite complicated to build but, fortunately, the free plan contains detailed instructions and diagrams that will help you a lot.

3.) Build this Stow-and-Go DIY Router table plan!

This stow-and-go homemade router table plan is perfect for those who don’t have a lot of living space! Simply piece it together every time you will need to and then break down the pieces apart and store them again. This sleek design is space friendly but it is packed with all of the features a Router table should have!

4.)Build this DIY Router table plan with less than $200

This free homemade Router table plan has all of the features of a store bought router table but this free DIY Router table is even better, because building this will cost you no more than 200 bucks! Your garage will not only have a sturdy Router table, your pocket gets to keep your money! Sweet, right?

This free Router table plan also includes a specified cutting list, detailed diagrams, and cutting diagrams.

5.) Build yourself this sturdy DIY Router table plan!

This Router table plan is sure to assist you in building a sturdy and durable Router table! What makes it better than the others above is that it gives you the option to build a Router table with an open-base or with a cabinet base. It’s up to you to decide!

This free plan not only contains colorful detailed diagrams and instructions, but also plans for building accessories for your homemade Router table.